Privacy concerns lead reasons for cookie deletion

Privacy concerns lead reasons for cookie deletion

Concerns about privacy are a leading reason for consumers to delete cookies, according to a new study released by Burst Media. The study also found that 38.4% of those surveyed delete Internet cookies once a month.

44.9% of consumers surveyed said they delete cookies in the process of removing all unsolicited downloads and 44.6% said they delete cookies because they don’t want their web-surfing activities monitored.

Consumers also said they deleted cookies because they don’t feel personal information is safe when cookies are on their computers (34.6%); because their spyware program suggested they should (31.6%), and because they don’t want anyone to know when they’re on a web site (22.1%).

Men were more likely than women to say they have deleted Internet cookies, 54.5% versus 41.8%. One-third of respondents between 14 and 24 years of age, 52.6% of respondents between 25 and 54 years, and 47.4% of respondents 55 and older reported they have deleted cookies.

In the 25-54 years segment, 58.4% of men and 47.4% of women said they have deleted cookies. In addition, 60.6% of those who delete cookies say they delete all Internet cookies, 28.2% say they keep some cookies they know they need or want, and 11.2% say they only delete cookies from unfamiliar web sites.

When asked whether cookies should be eliminated, 26.5% said yes, 25.8% said no, and 47.7% said they were unsure, according to the Burst study.

Burst, an Internet ad services and sales rep company, surveyed more than 10,000 web users 14 years or older.